NNL Super 4: Austin Ogunye To The Rescue As Insurance FC Pip Host Bayelsa Utd
Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin began their Nigeria National League Super 4 tournament in Yenagoa on an impressive note as they pip host Bayelsa Utd 1-0 on Thursday evening to brighten their chance of winning the NNL 2021/22 title. Thanks to new signee Austin Ogunye who came to the rescue.
Austin Ogunye’s 82nd-minute bicycle kick goal was all Bendel Insurance football club of Benin needed to put stubborn Bayelsa United football club of Yenagoa to the sword on day two of the 2022 Nigeria National League Super 4 tournament at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa Bayelsa State.
The Bayelsans had drew blank in the tournament’s opening game against Doma FC on day 1 fixture when Insurance FC could not play their first match against Elkanelmi Warriors of Maiduguri over the late arrival of the northern conference team who defeated Doma FC 2-0 in their first match same day Insurance beat Bayelsa Utd.
Bendel Insurance FC began the game with confidence against the home team as they played with full force from the flanks, dominating in possessions and attacking to confine their opponents to their area.
The Insurance attacking force combination of Imade Osehenkhoe, Sarki Ismael, Deputy Echeta,and their workaholic skipper Maurice Prince and Sodje Stephens in the midfield proved dangerous and difficult for the Restoration Boys who struggled throughout the first half to keep with the pace of the Benin Arsenal.
Imade Osehenkhoe continued to pressure the defence line of the Bayelsans and had a penalty shout under the first ten minutes of play, but the centre referee overlooked it, allowing open game for both sides.
Insurance,again came close to scoring in the 16th minute when Imade laid down a fine pass to Deputy Echeta on the edge of the box, the latter fired a shot, but it went some inches wide for a goal kick to Bayelsa United. The Benin Arsenal kept the pressure on and had another opportunity in the 32nd minute as Zaidu Ayuba released a cross pass into the box of the Restoration Boys and the ball met Imade who wasted no time in hitting the target but the Bayelsa goalkeeper parried for a corner kick advantage to the Insurers.
Bayelsa United momentarily got close to scoring in their few adventures from a beautifully interchanged passes by their forwards but their left winger’s shots was side netted and wide.
The first half ended with no goal to either sides to compensate for their hard work.
On return from recess Insurance continued to dominate in the last half proceedings as the introduction of Austin Ogunye and Divine Nwachukwu for Deputy Echeta and Sarki Ismael respectively by coach Monday Odigie added the necessary bite, making Insurance more composed and purposeful in attack.
Bayelsa United also withdrew their ball holder Tekena Garando and Timitimi Ineikade for Uchenna Akoma and Chidi Nwachukwu to push their attacks more but the rejig did not change their outlook . The home team was presented with a chance to score from a cross, but Amas Obasogie did good justice to the threats.
With time time drifting away, remaining eight minutes left to play, Bendel Insurance initiated an attack through a long ball pass that fell to Imade in the middle who turned in a sharp manner and gave a through pass to free running Divine Nwachukwu on the left flank and the Flying Eagles midfielder drove in a bit and crossed to Austin Ogunye who immediately aimed at the net but his shot rebounded to his direction again which left him with the only option of a bicycle kick which put the ball beyond the reach of the Bayelsa goalkeeper, breaking the deadlock for Insurance FC.
Insurance could have added another later but Imade’s attempt went wide off goal.
Bendel Insurance held on to the lead, though their goal could have been equalized with Taiwo Abdulrafiu’s late-minute free-kick that was well taken care of by Amas Obasogie.
The Benin Arsenals are facing another experienced side El-Kanemi Warriors in their second match on Friday with both teams on 3 points, but just one goal short of the warriors from Maiduguri.
A win for Insurance FC against Elkanelmi Warriors on Friday could be the decider for the NNL trophy in favour of the Benin Arsenals.
Elkanelmi Warriors lead in the super 4 tournament with a goal difference against Insurance who are also on same three points.
Doma FC and Bayelsa United ended their first match in a barren draw and both lost to Elkanelmi Warriors and Bendel Insurance respectively in day two fixtures.
